This is the only flowering plant that is totally submerged at every tide.It is an ecologically important species forming critical habitat and foraging areas for numerous fish and invertebrates, e. g., it provides shelter for juvenile flounder, crabs, cockles and topshells.

Found intertidally on sand and coarse mud. Found in depths less than 6 meters. It is tolerant of different salinities (euryhaline) with its distribution extending into estuaries and lagoons. This species is fairly resilient to disturbances, but has a narrow thermal range and is threatened by sea water warming and climate change.

Uses the suns energy for photosynthesis, but also bbsorbs nutrients through its leaves and has rhizomes that anchor the plant and trap sediment.

Tomlinson & Poslusney. 2001, generic Limits in the Seagrass Family Zosteraceae. Taxon, vol 50, p 429-437. Jones, M. B., Marsden, I, D., 2005, Life in the Estuary. Canterbury University Press. http://www.seagrassrecovery.com/seagrass/zostera-muelleri/ (accessed 08/02/13)